Title: Humanitarian representative to the MENA region

Location: Riyad; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Duration: 2-year contract, with possibility of extension

Contract: Full-time

Reporting to: Deputy Head of HRT

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline of applications: 27.08.2023

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 23 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The position is part of the Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT), which provides support to the MSF operations through linkages and actions to and from external networks (political, humanitarian, medical, and civil society). It is managed by the International Operations Coordinator and Head of Humanitarian Representation (IOHRC) and the deputy Head of HRT. The HRT maintains active relations with its network and continually informs the MSF operations of the relevant analysed information. The HRT influences its network through specific actions for the benefit of the MSF programs and MSF operations’ goals. In carrying out its actions, the HRT responds to direct requests from the operations (desks and Heads of Mission – HoM).

The HRT maintains active and effective internal links to co-ordinate its work. These include the reflection and advocacy centres of the operational sections, the Access campaign and partner sections (regarding their relations with their own host governments and regional networks – eg Canada, Germany, China, Australia, etc.), International President, Secretary General, International Medical Secretary & Medical Co-ordinator, medical working groups and others as necessary

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

Part of the MSF International Office Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT), the HRT MENA Representative works under the coordination and supervision of the IOHRC and the Deputy Head of HRT as well as in close link with the desks/cells in charge of operations and other pertinent MSF entities in the wider region. The HRT MENA Representative will be leading the HRT MENA team consisting of a Deputy Representative (currently based in Amman), as well as a Humanitarian Representative (based in Türkiye).

IV. MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Representation and networking

The main objective of this position is to support MSF operations in the MENA region with a coherent, consistent, and reliable representation as well as strategic negotiations. In order to achieve this, the MENA Representative develops and cultivates a stable network of contacts for the MSF movement and operations. The Representative also creates new and uses existing diplomacy and representation opportunities to communicate the identity of MSF and improve the perception of MSF towards a variety of actors in the MENA region:

• Multilateral organisations (Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, League of Arab States, Gulf Cooperation Council, Islamic Development Bank)
• MENA states and institutions (with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Qatar, Egypt, UAE)
• Diplomatic Representations
• Non-state actors (religious leaders, UN agencies, NGOs, charities, Red Crescent and Red Cross Movement members, medical associations, think tanks, NSAG, etc.)

Advocacy

• Identifying with the HOM/desks/IO the humanitarian issues of concern to MSF for which it is necessary to develop advocacy efforts.
• Identifying key stakeholders and people of influence.
• Identifying advocacy opportunities (events, conferences, opportunities for bilateral meetings) or create them (organisation of MSF visits in the region, etc.). Defining and proposing the best strategies to push MSF’s messages, to voice its concerns and analysis in the MENA region.
• Preparing, advocacy campaign rounds and talking points.
• Support to ensure consistency in MSF positioning and advocacy.
• Relays or implement MSF global advocacy initiatives in a proactive manner on topics relevant to MSF, including global health, humanitarian, or conflict issues by:

o Directly conducting bilateral meetings with stakeholders to push MSF advocacy messages and/or provide an understanding on the interlocutors positioning.

o Participating in multilateral meetings, conferences, and events to voice MSF advocacy and analysis.

Insights on the region

• To provide updates, information and analysis on the activities, positions, and strategies of key bodies in the region related to humanitarian issues and relevant contexts of MSF’s interventions/presence.
• Reflect on major humanitarian and policy changes in the region, analyse and document reflection and share internally with MSF Humanitarian Representation Team and operational entities to inform and improve their situational analysis.
• To draft/produce written materials to convey MSF messages and analysis, either independently or under the guidance of and in collaboration with relevant MSF colleagues.

Regional coordination:

• Directly line manage, support and guide the Deputy Representative as well as a Humanitarian Representative in Türkiye
• Facilitate the MSF regional operational coordination bodies for key humanitarian contexts (“interdesks”)